I would like to share my most recent, and FINAL visit to Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness in Brookings, SD…
But first, I would like to share a little back story (if you just want to read about my visit to the bike shop, go down to the paragraph “Until Friday”). I am a beginning triathlete who just signed up for my longest test yet, a half ironman in Lawrence, KS. As it was, I had some down time leading up to the triathlon, so to get some final quality bike training in, and a fun adventure to boot, I decided I would take a two week, 600 mile bike trip from my home in Aberdeen, SD to my race destination in Lawrence.
Tuesday: After some minimal planning and gearing up, I departed a day later than scheduled due to some rain showers. I pedaled 96 miles the first day to Watertown, where I stayed at my old college roommate’s parent’s house. My hopes for a smooth start were spoiled about 50 miles in where I had my first flat, right after a quick lunch in Webster. Undeterred, I changed out my tube and was on my way. My gracious hosts in Watertown refueled me with some pulled pork sandwiches (and a few beverages), and after a restful 10 hour sleep, I awoke to the smells of fresh banana bread.
Wednesday: Feeling rejuvenated, I took advantage of the light northeast wind and cruised the 60 miles to Brookings. Upon entering Brookings, I learned that a few of the Jacks XC runners who were around for the summer were about to get together for a run. So less than an hour after my hike from Watertown to Brookings, I went on an 8 mile run with the Rabbits. I was planning on a short run after the bike in preparations for the triathlon, so it was great to have some company. The 160 miles of biking in two days, which I was very unaccustomed to, caught up to me towards the end, but I got through it. Thank goodness I was planning for a “rest” day in Brookings, so my rear end thanked me.
Thursday: after another morning of sleeping in late, I got in a great swim at the outdoor pool in Brookings. After catching up with some friends and old co-workers in the SDSU athletic department, I got in another good run with the guys followed by a night of a little bar-hopping. Nothing but good memories of Brookings!
While catching up with one of my old co-workers, she told be about this website her daughter had used while traveling through Europe. The program involves people willing to open up their homes to passer-bys for a free nights stay on their couch. After surfing the site, I found 5 users in Sioux City. I was pretty excited as I didn’t have a solid plan after Sioux Falls of where I was going to stay. One reason I didn’t make a solid plan was the fact that I was still uncertain of how realistic this journey was to complete. But so far, so good…
Until Friday: I woke up to yet another beautiful day, and after a great breakfast and a short run with the guys again, I gathered up my belongings and headed out. I stopped at the local bike shop in town, Sioux River Bicycles and Fitness, to top off my tires and pick up an extra tube before heading out of town. I then jumped onto main and started cruising, with another great north wind pushing me towards Sioux Falls. That didn’t last long. After about 10 miles at brisk 23mph pace, I blew a spoke and my rear wheel was instantly off true. I called my Brookings host, who had just gotten off work, and he picked me up and brought me back to the bike shop. I walked in and talked to one of the bike mechanics…
BM: can I help you?
Me: yeah, I broke a spoke, is this an easy fix?
BM: yeah, it’s actually just the nipple, it’s only about 25 cents for a nipple and 20-25 bucks for the labor to true the wheel.
Me: well, I’m actually on my way biking to Sioux Falls, do you have time to fix it?
BM: actually, I don’t know how to, Robb, can you take a look at it?
Robb: (after looking me and my bike up and down for about 10 seconds) no, I don’t have time.
BM: well he is actually on his way to Sioux Falls
Robb: I don’t have time
BM: you could leave it here for a day or two and we could get to it
Me: actually I am on my way from Aberdeen to KS and I am already a day behind, I can’t really afford to stay here for another day, I guess I will just have to do something else.
As I am walking out of the shop, Robb catches up to me…
Robb: where did you get that bike? Did you get it from bikes direct?
Me: actually yeah, I did
Robb: that is why I won’t work on your bike, don’t you know that they openly criticize bike shops?
Me: actually no, I had no idea
Robb: well they do, and I will refuse to work on that bike
Me: wow, being the only bike shop in the area, you cant even work on a bike in an emergency situation like this?
Robb: nope, you know, if you would have bought a bike from me it would not be broken right now. We have 2 weeks worth of work to do on bikes as it is
This comment is what really got to me. First of all, this is my third summer of riding this bike, and this broken spoke nipple is the only thing that has gone wrong with it to date. Second of all, from the sounds of it, it would seem as though Robb does the majority of his maintenance work on bikes that he has sold. It appears that his bikes are not holding up too well if he is backed up with two weeks worth of bike repairs.
Me: ok, well I have done a fair amount of business here, and you won’t be seeing me again
Robb: ok
Me: and I will make sure to tell my friends
Robb: ---
With that, I walked out of the store, and this is me telling all of my friends. I can understand Robb’s frustrations with having to compete with online shopping. They can often sell bikes for reduced costs by selling direct to the customer and having large inventories. I was new to biking when I purchased my bike, and I wanted to get a quality beginner bike that was also capable of doing some racing. I actually browsed SRBF multiple times before making my purchase, but I couldn’t afford their asking prices for the quality of bike I was looking for.
Long story short, I feel that local bike shops have the obligation to provide a service to their community. Robb new my situation, and still refused service to me. Being the only bike shop in the area, I was stranded in Brookings, with my bike adventure jeopardized because of one man’s self-indulgence. Luckily, I was able to get a ride back to Aberdeen, feeling defeated the entire way home…and that is why I will never step foot into SRBF again.
And the comments began:
Yeah!! I remember that git, had some rude run in's with him. Someone else needs to open up a shop and run him out of town!!!
If anyone is looking, my buddy (Erik) owns Prairie Cycles in Sioux Falls (1116 S Minnesota Ave Sioux Falls SD 57105) - he's awesome! Great customer service and mechanic!
I think one day I'll be rich and own a bike shop in Brookings :0)
I understand your frusturation, I worked for the man for three years. I want to say congrats for the effort and getting as far as you did, that was very impressive!
I'm glad you sent this. Local shops will survive with good customer service but this is a prime example of why this guy will go out of business....at least when another bike shop shows up to town. Good work getting the word out.
hes a big bag of dusch enough said, but to drive my point home, he tried to pawn off a shitty tri bike on me (the chain was rubbing on the feed, and the tires where really screwed up)
This sounds very similar to my run-in with him; except I told him I was sorta disappointed in him since one of his customer had referred to me-- I also told the customer who referred me and they went in and had a "word" with him.
This man seems to actually have a DISDAIN for bicycles, bicyclists, and bicycling culture. One feels a dreadful aura when you walk into his shop. I can't believe it. I simply cannot respect the man, or anyone for that matter, who owns a bike shop and doesn't even ride himself.
Unreal, I have definitely taken my last step inside that building. I guess it's a drive to Sioux Falls for me because I have no interest in supporting a shop who won't give service to someone on a ride from Aberdeen to Kansas for crying out loud. Keep up the good work Kevin and may the North winds keep pushing you.
what an effer
Literally the same thing happened to me last year when I went in there to get some menial work done on my bike. Sorry I can't afford a $400+ bike just yet!! Luckily through a lot of reading and videos I can now fix a lot of stuff on my POS bike.
i have gone in there twice and had HORRIBLE service (actually no service cause he was either too busy or such a jerk about me not buying my bike there) i will never go again no matter what. its a shame all the people that pry fall for his ridiculous prices that he charges. and the time that he takes to do some of the simplest fixes. i can not wait for the day that he goes out of business.
3 comments:
WOW...Haters Much!!!!!!
I've been a customer of Robb and Company for years now. I currently live in Sioux Falls and will go out of my way to drive to Brookings for all my cycling needs. I have developed a very close relationship with Robb and the rest of his workers. I can count on Robb anytime, any day to not only give me the advice I need, but the parts, knowledge and experience I need from him as a bicycle enthusiast. This business of him having a disdain for cycling is completely absurd. Every time I stop in Robb will talk to me for upwards of 2 hours about cycling, bike culture, and how involved he is with the bicycle community in Brookings.
Yes, he's had a bad mechanic in the past, the mechanic is gone now. As a customer I knew more about fixing bikes than this individual did. It was unfortunate that he was employed there as long as he was. Did I let him ruin that shop for me? not at all. I knew that I could count on Robb for any help I needed.
Recent example: I brought my winter bike in to the shop just so Robb could see my most recent project (I have over a dozen bikes of all shapes and species in my garage) He noticed I needed bar end plugs on it and gave them to me out of his inventory. While there I bought a front fender and noticed a set of pedals he had on a stock bike. I really liked these particular pedals and inqired if he had any more available. He said it wasn't likely, but he would gladly sell me the pair OFF THE BIKE.
You tell me any other shop where you get that kind of customer service in this area and we can talk about how much "Robb Rasmussen sucks"
I would say any shop in Sioux Falls can offer much better service than Robb can. I have been to many of them.
For a small business in a small town it amazes me how many horrible experiences people have had in that establishment. Experiences that a person should never have at any type of business, anywhere. He even made a girl cry!
I know for a fact that people do have great experiences there. I have even been in there and been very happy with my visit. However, next time I went in he made a smart ass remark that came out of no where that was very uncalled for.
As they say, two rights does not make up for a wrong.
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